Marks on painted wall- DCs not to blame...

[NorthernChinchilla]

...it's the coal/fire.

We have a stove in the living room, and therefore coal (well, e-coal, as we're in a smoke control zone), dust, etc.

As a result, the walls round the stove (mid blue) are quite marked, and it does look like someone's been drawing on them.

I've tried vinegar, and normal cleaners, and nothing seems to budge them- any tips?

I don't know what e-coals are. Do you mean smokeless fuel, or gas-coals?

it is probably either dust (from convection currents) or soot. Both are very persistent tough a microfibre clth, dry, will help, and neat Flash or similar will get some of it off but the rest will be just smear.

If dust, it will usually be grey and shapeless, rising up from a hot surface. If you interup the airflow with a shelf or mantlepiece, it will tend to to mark the wall.

If it is soot, usually black, usually with clear edges, then you have a fault with your fire, fireplace or chimney and it could be very dangerous. Ask your chimneysweep's advice.

Could you try a very gentle rub with a baby wipe? They usually get most things off.

Yes, it's the 'eco' version of smokeless fuel. I'll give the Flash and then microfibre cloth a go; I should have been more clear, it's just our ineptness/wear and tear that's doing it- leaning on the wall for support when wearing gloves used for handling coal, or the edge of the scuttle marking the wall as we put it down.
Our sweep sorted the baffle plate when it was swept earlier this year- can't be too safe with them.

Will give the babywipe a go first though, seeing as we have millions to hand owing to new DS!

Thanks for these- I suppose if it really won't go I'll have to repaint, but would love to avoid it.

Magic Erasers work wonders on marks on walls / skirtings. Good luck

Oh, what's a magic eraser? Is it just the normal type you get from WH Smiths, or is it something specific you'd find in the cleaning aisle?

With all of the above I should be able to get rid of the damn things!

A squashed up bit of white bread rubbed on walls is meant to take marks off but I've never tried it.

I don't have experience of coal, but find Cif cream on a slightly damp cloth excellent for removing marks that magically appear on painted walls.

Magic erasers are a foam like block that you just dampen and use.

Think they started as a JML type product but you can now pick up versions in Asda, tesco, homebargain and The Poundshop. Aldi currently have them in too.

I discovered them when we had a UPVC conservatory added, the supplier uses them on scuff marks rather than specialist product as they work better.